Follower for suit-cases, trunks, and the like.



G. F. PINK.

POLLOWEB. FOR SUIT GASES, TRUNKS, AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, 1911.

1,003,134. Patented Sept. 12,1911. 6 E y. Z

Elma/whoa COLUMBIA PLANUGRAPH 60-. WASHINGTO D. c.

UNTTED STATES PATENT @FFTCE.

CHARLES F. FINK, OF FREDERICKTOVJN, OHIO.

FOLLOWER FOR SUIT-CASES, TRUNKS, AND THE LIKE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. FINK, a citizen of the United States, residing at F redericktown, in county of Knox and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements .in Followers for Suit- Cases, Trunks, and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in followers for suit cases, trunks and the like, which are adapted to be connected to the walls of the trunk or suit case, for holding the articles in place and against movement in the receptacle.

The invention consists of two bars which are connected together at their ends and provided with means for fastening or supporting the bars to the walls of the suit case, and a post connected to the two bars, which post is adapted to be brought to a vertical position for spreading the two bars apart for compressing the contents of the receptacle together, and holding the contents against movement in the receptacle.

The invention further consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the invention applied to a suit case; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view showing the slotted plates; Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the movable hook mounted upon one end of the follower; and Fig. 4 is a vertical sec tional view through the post.

A, represents the spring bars which are connected together at one end by means of a rivet 1, and the hook 2 is connected there between. The edges of the bars are preferably notched at the other end, as at 3, for engaging and holding the sliding hook 4L thereon. The hook 4 is capable of sliding movement upon the bars for accommodating different widths or sizes of trunks or suit cases. Connected to the walls of the suit case or trunk are plates 5 by means of screws 6. The plates 5 are provided with a plu rality of slots 7 having adjacent thereto openings or holes 8. The hooks 2 and 4 are adapted to be inserted through the slots 7 and then. the ends of the hooks are drawn through the adjacent openings 8 whereby the bars are connected to the walls of the suit case. The hooks are inserted through the Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept, 12, 1911, Application filed June 28, 1911.

Serial No. 635,766.

slot above the articles in the suit case or trunk, and after the hooks have been fastened to the plates, the post 9 is raised vertically between the bars A for spreading the bars apart and compressing the articles firmly and securely within the receptacle. The post 9 is provided with flanges 10 at each end and slots 11, the bars being received through the slots, and when the post is brought to a vertical position, the flanges will bear against the outer surfaces of the bars, whereby a sufi'icient frictional engagement will be had between the bars and post for holding the post in a vertical position, and thereby retaining the bars apart for producing the compression upon the articles within the receptacle. The adjacent surfaces of the flanges and ends of the post are beveled, as at 12 and 13, whereby a gripping or biting action is obtained upon the bars. The flanges 10 project in opposite directions, therefore the beveled formations on the flanges as well as at the end of the post are not the same at both ends of the post, but are at the opposite sides of the post, as is clearly shown in Fig. 4.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A follower for suit cases, comprising two bars, fastening means connected to the terminals of the bars for supporting the bars within the suit cases, and means for spreading the bars apart for forming a compression upon the articles in the case, whereby the articles will be securely held in the case.

2. A follower for suit cases, comprising two bars, a hook connected to the bars at one end, and a movable hook connected to the bars at the opposite end, and means for spreading the bars apart for forming a compression upon the articles in the suit case.

3. The combination with a suit case having plates connected thereto, of bars connected together and adapted to be supported at their ends by the plates, and means for separating the bars for forming a compression upon the articles contained in the suit case.

4t. The combination with a suit case having plates connected thereto and provided with a plurality of slots and openings adjacent to the slots, of bars, hooks connected to the bars, said hooks adapted to be received through the slots and openings of the plates for supporting the bars in the case, and a post connected to the bars for spreading the bars apart for confining'the articles Within the suit case.

5. A follower for suit cases, comprising bars, means for supporting the bars, a post having slots therein through which the bars extenchsaid post adapted to be brought to a vertical position for spreading the bars apart whereby a compression will be produced upon the articles in the suit case.

6. A follower for suit cases comprising bars, means for supporting the bars, a post having slots therein through which the bars are received, said post adapted to be brought to a position for spreading the bars apart for confining the articles Within the suit case, and flanges on the post for producing a frictional engagement whereby the post will cause the bars to be held apart.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES F. FINK. Witnesses GEORGE OCONNOR, SAMUEL ORR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

